Pro-Trump media push false story that CNN faked an anti-ISIS Muslim protest

Written by Julie Alderman

Published

Pro-Trump media outlets attacked CNN by claiming the network was “staging fake Muslim demonstrations” in response to the June 3 London Bridge terror attack. The smear, which started with nativist, anti-Muslim Daily Mail columnist Katie Hopkins, was quickly called out by CNN as “nonsense.”

Daily Mail’s Katie Hopkins claimed CNN is “scripting a narrative” by staging “a highly manipulated Muslim protest” against ISIS

Daily Mail columnist Katie Hopkins: CNN is “scripting a narrative” by staging “a highly manipulated Muslim protest” against ISIS following the London attack.

[Twitter, 6/4/17, 6/4/17]

CNN “simply filmed” demonstrators showing their signs to the media

CNN: “This story is nonsense.” According to a statement to Mediaite, CNN called the story “nonsense” and explained, “The group of demonstrators that was at the police cordon was being allowed through by officers so they could show their signs to the gathered media. The CNN crew along with other media present simply filmed them doing so.” [Mediaite, 6/4/17]

CNN’s Brian Stelter: “Far-right twitterers are misleading folks about this video.”

[Twitter, 6/4/17, 6/4/17]

Pro-Trump outlets and figures push claim that protesters were fake or CNN was creating fake news using the protesters

Fox's Sean Hannity retweeted an allegation that CNN was “FAKING a muslim protest,” writing, "Quiet on the set!! Places everyone !!!! Places!! Fake News in 3,2,1....Action! 

[Twitter, 6/5/17]

Radio host Mark Levin responded “This is CNN” to a tweet claiming that “CNN [was] Caught Arranging Muslims As Backdrop.”

[Twitter, 6/5/17]

Drudge Report: “SHOCK VIDEO: CNN Stages Anti-ISIS Muslim Protesters.”

[Twitter, 6/4/17]

Pro-Trump website Gateway Pundit: “SHOCK VIDEO: CNN Creates #FakeNews in London Following Terror Attacks, Stages Anti-ISIS Muslim Protesters.”

[The Gateway Pundit, 6/4/17]

Infowars’ Paul Joseph Watson: “FAKE media. … CNN stages Muslim anti-ISIS protest. We are being conned.”

[Twitter, 6/4/17]

“Alt-right” figure Milo Yiannopoulos: “London: CNN Busted Staging Fake Muslim Demonstrations.”

[Facebook, 6/4/17]

Anti-Muslim Geller Report: “VIDEO: CNN Stages Fake Muslim Protest, BBC Promotes the LIE #CNN is ISIS.”

[Geller Report, 6/4/17]

Fake news purveyor TruthFeed: “BREAKING : CNN Caught on Video Producing FAKE NEWS.”

[TruthFeed, 6/4/17; Media Matters, 12/14/16]

Powerline: “CNN Stages Anti-ISIS Protest In London.”

[Powerline, 6/4/17]

Fake news purveyor Before It’s News: “CNN Creates Fake Anti-ISIS Protest.”

[Before It’s News, 6/4/17; Media Matters, 12/14/16]

Washington Feed: “BUSTED! CNN Stages Anti-ISIS Muslim Protesters.”

[The Washington Feed, 6/4/17]

Donald Trump Jr. also repeated the claim

Donald Trump Jr.: “Not at all surprising at this point. They create the narrative they want to push & sell it at all costs. #fakenews.”

[Twitter, 6/5/17]

Hopkins is an anti-Muslim nativist

Hopkins has a history of anti-Muslim and nativist rhetoric. Hopkins has repeatedly defamed Muslims and immigrants and once compared refugees to “cockroaches” and suggested using “gunships to stop migrants” crossing into Europe after hundreds died when a boat capsized off the coast of Libya. Hopkins was once investigated by police “over allegations she incited racial hatred” and denounced by the United Nations high commissioner for human rights. Additionally, following the London attack, Hopkins suggested that the U.K. “need[s] internment camps” for suspected terrorists. [Media Matters, 3/2/17, 6/4/17]